Salem Historical Society to celebrate 60th anniversary

SALEM — Listen to a little classic jazz. Check some queries. Wonder where to get hardware for an improvement project.

Another afternoon at an Internet cafe? No, it’s just another day at the Salem Historical Society and Museum.

The society will have “A Night at the Museum” from 6 to 9 p.m. July 27 to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

There will be music in the museum’s garden as the sun sets, a pictorial history, tours and hors d’oeuvres.

This is not a group dedicated just to old stuff. Promotional material for the event says the society is “Keeping and making history.”

David Stratton, the museum’s director, recalled talking to an official at the Salem branch of the Butler Institute of American Art, which is able to plan its events two years in advance. But Stratton said he can only plan about two weeks in advance. “Stuff comes up,” he said.